Circle Launches Arc Blockchain for Institutional Payments

Circle has unveiled Arc, a new blockchain network designed for institutional payments and real-world asset tokenization. The network, which launches on September 16, has secured support from several major financial institutions, including BlackRock, Visa, Mastercard, and DTCC.

Arc is a Layer 1 network developed by Circle and centered around the USDC stablecoin. Its primary mission is to facilitate institutional payments, tokenized financial assets, and capital markets infrastructure. Unlike permissionless public blockchains, Arc serves regulated financial institutions, asset managers, and payment providers requiring a compliance-ready environment for tokenized operations.

Circle has reported significant growth in on-chain transaction volume, reaching $14.8 trillion year-over-year, with a 151% surge in transactions. The company's revenue and reserve income have also increased to $701 million.